Science News
Latest science news and updates
Total: 51
Plastic Films Turn into Tiny Power Plants: Chinese Researchers Set New Record in Flexible Thermoelectrics
Chinese researchers at the Institute of Chemistry, CAS, have developed a flexible polymer thermoelectric film with a reported zT of 1.64, using a polymer phase‑separation process compatible with spray‑coating. The advance could make lightweight, conformable heat‑to‑electricity devices feasible, though real‑world power output, durability and integration remain to be proven.
Atomic‑Thin Magnet Shows Two Rare Phase Transitions, Confirming a 1970s Theory
A University of Texas at Austin team has observed two sequential magnetic states in an ultrathin two‑dimensional magnet as temperature falls, providing the first complete experimental verification of the six‑state clock model from the 1970s. The result clarifies how discrete symmetry and topological defects shape 2D magnetic order and points to avenues for engineering nanoscale spintronic devices, though practical applications will require raising operating temperatures and improving robustness.
Setbacks Force NASA to Reboot Artemis: Lunar Landing Pushed Back, Extra Test Flight Added
NASA has restructured the Artemis lunar programme after recent technical faults and safety concerns, adding a test flight and turning Artemis III into an orbital practice mission in 2027. Crewed lunar landings are now planned for Artemis IV (2028) and Artemis V (2030), reflecting a shift toward caution and institutional reform under the agency’s new chief.
“Space Butterfly” Emerges: China Reports New Breakthrough in Orbital Biology Experiments
Chinese scientists report that butterflies completed metamorphosis in orbit, signaling progress in space biology experiments. The results advance understanding of how microgravity affects complex life cycles and have implications for life‑support systems and international research cooperation.
NASA Recasts Artemis: Pushes Commercial Landers into the Spotlight as SLS Troubles Force Rethink
NASA has restructured the Artemis programme to reduce mission risk and allow commercial landers more testing time, after SLS launch vehicle leaks delayed operations. Artemis II's crewed lunar flyaround remains planned pending rocket repairs; Artemis III has been converted into an orbit‑docking and test mission, with crewed lunar landings pushed to Artemis IV in 2028 if timelines hold.
NASA Pushes First Crewed Artemis Moonshot to 2028, Extending a Program of Rolling Delays
NASA has delayed the first crewed Artemis lunar landing from 2027 to 2028, continuing a pattern of timetable adjustments for the flagship return-to-the-Moon programme. The move reflects ongoing technical integration, testing and budgetary challenges and sharpens attention on commercial partners, international competition and next-stage milestones.
NASA Scales Back SLS Upgrades to Boost Launch Pace, Hitting Boeing Contract Value
NASA has cancelled a planned upgrade to its SLS rocket to focus on increasing launch cadence and added an extra unmanned docking test ahead of crewed lunar missions. The shift affects a roughly $2 billion Boeing contract and signals NASA’s prioritisation of reliability and tempo over expanded vehicle capability in the near term.
Europe Taps Monaco Rover Firm to Solve Moon‑Mobility and Thermal Challenges
ESA has contracted Monaco’s Venturi Aerospace to research lunar rover mobility and survival systems, focusing on suspension, ultra‑deformable wheels, and power and thermal management to withstand extreme lunar conditions. Tests will use a Venturi rover in an ESA‑DLR lunar simulation facility and aim to mature technologies essential for reliable surface operations.
China’s Researchers Push Kesterite Solar Cells Past 15% Efficiency, Narrowing Gap with Mainstream PV
Chinese scientists have pushed CZTSSe kesterite solar cells past 15% certified efficiency, a notable lab milestone for a thin‑film technology made from earth‑abundant, non‑toxic elements. The result strengthens the case for lower‑cost, widely deployable thin‑film photovoltaics but still faces scaling, stability and module‑level challenges before commercial impact can be judged.
Chinese Scientists Publish Nature Paper on Durable, Flexible Organic Battery Cathode — A Potential Step Toward Greener, Safer Energy Storage
A Tianjin University-led team published a Nature paper describing a new organic cathode for lithium batteries claimed to be safe, heat- and freeze-resistant, and mechanically flexible. The development could advance greener, wearable-capable energy storage, but significant engineering and scaling challenges remain before commercial deployment.
MeerKAT and a Cosmic Lens Reveal the Most Distant Hydroxyl Megamaser Yet
Using MeerKAT and a powerful gravitational lens, astronomers have detected the most distant and brightest hydroxyl megamaser known, in a merging galaxy more than 8 billion light‑years away. The result demonstrates how sensitive radio arrays and lensing can probe molecular gas and extreme star formation at cosmological distances, opening new avenues for studying galaxy evolution ahead of the SKA era.
China’s Private ‘Artificial Sun’ Clears New Milestones as Start-ups Race to Commercialise Fusion
Energy Singularity’s HTS tokamak, Honghuang‑70, has achieved successive long‑pulse plasma runs — culminating in a 1,337‑second steady state — demonstrating engineering reliability in a privately built device. The results strengthen China’s private fusion push amid rising investment and new national law support, though net energy gain and reactor‑scale engineering remain unresolved challenges.